OBJECTIVE: The neovascularization of malignant brain tumors is a poorly understood
phenomenon. Radiographic and histological evidence of increased vascularity correlate
with clinical grade of gliomas. However, a quantitative noninvasive assay to assess glioma
vascularity and associated clinical aggressiveness has not been developed. Circulating
endothelial progenitor cells are unique vascular precursors recruited from the bone marrow
through the circulation to form new tumor blood vessels. These cells were measured in …